After seven years as Dedham’s town administrator, William G. Keegan Jr. appears headed for Mansfield, where selectmen decided unanimously on Wednesday to offer him the job of town manager.
Keegan would replace 12-year town manager John D’Agostino, who left on June 30 after town officials voted late last year not to renew his contract.
During his interview last week, Keegan said he sought the Mansfield job because of the town’s similarities to Dedham demographically, and because it’s located at the junctions of major highways. Because of that, it would make sense to work to create jobs and boost the tax base by, among other things, focusing on biotechnology opportunities at Mansfield’s industrial park.
Mansfield Selectman Sandra Levine said Keegan would bring a dynamic approach. “I’m tired of Mansfield being up there with communities that have a black eye,’’ she said.
Levine said Keegan appeared quick and smart, with a lot of experience in many different settings. “When he was asked questions like, ‘How would you handle an unruly employee?’ . . . for example, he gave you answers that weren’t rehearsed. They were things he had come to know through his level of experience and common sense,’’ she said.
Keegan said the decision to leave Dedham was tough. Residents, town officials, and staffers “really came together to take Dedham to a new place,’’ he said. “But for me, this is a professional change. Going from town administrator to town manager will give more central authority.’’
The other two finalists were former Jackson, Mich., City Manager William Ross; and Jack Yunits, a former Brockton mayor and current president of the Brockton Rox baseball team.
If an agreement on a contract is reached after closed-door negotiations, Keegan could also agree to assume oversight of the Municipal Electric Department.
Before coming to Dedham, Keegan was town administrator of Seekonk, where he lives. He has also worked in municipal jobs in Wayland, Shrewsbury, and Millbury.
Michelle M. Bolton 
